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editor's note

Tanya Chaitanya (Editor Femina India)

For every doubting Thomas who tells you women can’t scale mountains, wrestle in the ring, endure physical hardship, your comeback should be a simple hashtag:#StandStrong.
There’s no bigger retaliation than success, they say. So show your calibre to these detractors or anybody who believes that we, as women, lack the potential to be physically as fit as men by being just that. Not to say that it will be an easy process.
The conditioning that we are not at par physically starts early. From the time we are offered a hand to bring down the cookie jar to when we are told not to lift too heavy a weight; when the sports selectors in schools bypass promising girl children or when the male friends refuse to count us in in any serious hiking plans—that feeling of being physically less is ingrained right from the beginning.
So how is it that we witness sportswomen like Mary Kom packing a punch in the arena or a badminton champ like PV Sindhu physically pushing herself to the limits? Or the fact that celebs like Jacqueline Fernandez, Taapsee Pannu, Katrina Kaif swear by their fitness routine and are known to train for longer hours than their male counterparts?
Then again look beyond these superwomen. Look around you. There are regular women storming into male bastions, physically-challenging professions and pursuits, and coming out triumphant. This new-found confidence comes with taking care of yourself, being cognizant of the fact that our body needs to be given TLC, from the right diet and nutrition to exercise and care to help us stand strong.
This is when I raise a toast: Here’s to strong women. May we know them, may we be them, may we raise them!

Meet the jury of Nykaa.com Femina Beauty Awards 2018

As we approach the much-awaited Nykaa.com Femina Beauty Awards 2018, we introduce you to our jury panel of movers and shakers who will be calling the shots in the biggest beauty extravaganza of the year.

Falguni NayarFounder and CEO, Nykaa.comFalguni Nayar, the former managing director of Kotak Mahindra Capital Company, launched Nykaa.com with the vision of providing a curation of the best beauty products and robust content in the form of DIYs, reviews and expert recommendations, which would allow every customer to make an informed decision regarding their beauty needs. Nayar has also helmed the expansion of the brand with a wide range of original Nykaa products and has introduced the Indian market to renowned international brands. She has received many accolades throughout her career, including the FICCI Ladies Organization (FLO) award for the top woman achiever in the field of banking, and The Economic Times Startup Award 2017 in the ‘Woman Ahead’ category. She was also a founding member of the Asia Society in India, serves on several boards, and is an independent director on the board of Tata Motors.

Tanya ChaitanyaChief Community Officer and Editor, FeminaAs an editor, Tanya Chaitanya has given India’s largest selling women’s magazine—Femina—a contemporary, fresh and modern feel. She has taken the brand’s footprints ahead in the space of digital reach and 360 degree growth. Chaitanya has been instrumental in brand expansion regionally with three successful spin-offs: Femina Hindi, Femina Tamil and Femina Bangla. The online presence of brand Femina in the form of its website, Femina.in, has grown with her vision. Under her editorship, Femina expanded its magazine portfolio and successfully launched Femina Salon & Spa, a B2B and B2C brand catering to salon professionals. Having done her journalism training with BBC, she has a strong news background which helps her add that extra edge even across lifestyle writing.

Aditi Rao HydariActorFrom her outstanding performances in movies, both Hindi and Tamil, to her mesmerising stage performances as a classical dancer, Aditi Rao Hydari's journey has been nothing short of amazing. She has dominated the fashion space with her effortless style and even made her big singing debut alongside AR Rahman last year.

Dabboo RatnaniPhotographerDabboo Ratnani has been the go-to guy for all of showbiz’s photography for almost two decades now. Having started off with a camera as a matter of chance, his work across films, fashion, magazines and advertising today has earned him the distinction of being one of India’s leading photographers. You’ve seen his work in more places than we can list, and his clientele is essentially the entire film fraternity. Perhaps what he is best known for is his calendar that brings Bollywood’s aristocracy together in what he calls his form of art.

Dr Jamuna PaiCelebrity cosmetic physicianA true pioneer of cosmetology in India, Dr Jamuna Pai has been in the skincare industry for over 19 years. She has been credited with introducing India to various innovative skin treatments and techniques. She is also an educator, though Dr Pai herself never stops learning and is constantly looking forward to new and exciting advancements that fulfil her mantra ‘perfection through correction’.

Hakim AalimCelebrity hairstylistHaving been born into hairstyling royalty, Aalim Hakim’s rise in his field comes as no surprise. After training under his father and India’s first celebrity hairdresser, Halim Kairanvi, Aalim found his calling at 16, and has never looked back since. His range of salons across the globe—Hakim’s Aalim Hair n’ Tattoo lounge, along with his hairdressing academy—are steps towards realising his dream of making India the mecca of artistic hairdressing.

Ojas RajaniCelebrity makeup artiste and hairstylistOjas Rajani is a star in her own right. She has been a celebrity makeup artiste with a stellar career graph for well over a decade. Her clientele includes celebrities like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit-Nene, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Sonam Kapoor. With a confessed love for creative eye looks and big hair, her flair for the dramatic comes across through her work—in films and bridal looks alike. Rajani's vision is to create creators who can hone their skill under her tutelage through her classes and lessons.